LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR THE OUT-DISTRICTS. PUBLIC MEETING AT PAPAKURA.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3432, 16 July 1868, Page 3

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR THE OUT-DISTRICTS. PUBLIC MEETING AT PAPAKURA.

A .public meeting of the chairmen and trustees of the various Highway B>ards south of Auckland •was held yesterday at 2 p.m at the Papakura Hotel, for the puruoie of considering the advisability of adopting a memorial to the General Government praying for local self-government for the outdistriots of the province of Auckland. The meeting was not numerously attended, there being not more than twenty persons present altogether, including five chairmen of Highway Boards. The Deputy-Superintendent and the Provincial Secretary -were also amoug those present, and ,they took a very active part in the proceedings. Ihe meeting had been brought about in this way : It will be remembered that the settlers of Raglan held a meeting some time ago, and adopted a memorial to the General Government praying for local self-government for the outdintricts. A. copy of the resolutions and the memorial itself weie forwarded to the chairman of the Pukekohe Highway District, with a suggestion that each of the surrounding Boards should be communicated with, and that a meeting of representatives should be arranged so as to strengthen the hands of the Raglan petitioners by adopting a memorial similar to that drawn up and agreed to by that Board. Cnculars were then sent by the chairman of the Pukekohe Highway Board inviting the chairmen and trustees of the neighbouring Boards to the meeting held yesterday. Mr. Burtt, the Chairman of the Karalta Highway Board, was compelled to absent -himself owing to the death of a relative. Previously to the public meeting a meeting of the representatives from the various Highway Boards was held for the purpose o£ conferring as to the aotion to be adopted. , , , Mr. G. B. Harris (Chairman of the Pukekohe Highway Board), in opening the meeting, said, as one of the]Whaingaroa Highway Board, it devolved on him to explain the position of affairs and the circumstances that had led to the present meeting. The Raglan Highway Board, hiving adopted a 1 memorial to the General Government praying for looal self-goverament for the outdistnots, had communioated with him, as the Chairman of the Pukekohe Board, asking him to arrange the necessary preliminaries for a meeting of the ohairmen of the neighbouring Boards, so as to decide upon some combined policy for securing local self-government. The Raglan Board did not like to go single-handed into any fight that might take place, and therefore they wished to secure the co-operation of the surrounding Boards. He would read the letter which the Raglan Board had written to hi-m The Pukekohe Board thought they would be exceeding their duty if they decided upon alopting a memorial similar to that adopted by the Raglan Board, without first consulting the members of the surrounding Boards. The speaker then read the letter referred to, as well a« a copy of the petition that had been adopted by the Whaingaroa Board. These, he said, were the steps that had been taken up to the present time, and this was the business which thii meeting was called to consider. He hoped any gentleman who had a proposition to make would now come for ward and do so. On the motion of Mr. James Robertson, geoonded by Mr. William Kerb, Mr. Harris was called to the chair. Mr. Kerb said before the formal business of the meeting was prooeeded with he might state that ho had received a draft of the petition of the Raglan district, and the accompanying letter, dated June 12th. In reply he had written a letter to the chairman of the Whaingaroa Highway Board thanking him for forwarding the information, and suggesting to him the advisability of sending copies to the ohairmen of the various Highway Boards throughout the province. He (Mr. Kerr) was^glad to see that his recommendation had been carried into effect. Mr. A. McDonald said : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, the purpose for which we have met here to-day ia of the greatest importance, not only to every one here present, and to the districts which we have the honour to represent ; not only to the present generation, but it ia of the utmost importance to the generations yet unborn, which yet shall inhabit these lands. Sir, we have 4 through the action of the Raglan or Whaingaroa trustees^et here this day as representatives of highway districts, so that we may consult each other as to the course which we unitedly should adopt, so that we may have the present corrupt system of provincial government removed, and that we may obtain a system which will enforce the meeting out of justice to the outdistricts of this province, to ensure the future prosperity of our adopted land. Now let me say that I am sure that by us meeting together this day we have got on the right track; for in unity there is strength, and this is the only effective way by which we can have any chance of success ; for by a united and loud complaiat we Bhall force the Government to inquire into the matter oE our complaint, and then we may hope for redress. Now the only system which is fitted to secure justice to the outdistricts, and ensure the future prosperity of this fair and promisiog province,is that which will give the people the full management of their local affairs. It is not needful here for me to tell you of the utter want of integrity nor of the inability of officialism, under the provincial system ; you all know this too well from past experience. I need not remind you here that the public estate of each district has been sold, and that we have not received, in most cases, any of the proceeds for local improvements. I need not tell you that we have been neglected in every possible way, and that the education of our children has been thrown overboard and neglected, and that provincial credit ia cried down. Now, I maintain that all this mismanagement has arisen from thefaultiness of the provincial institution, which open* so many loopholes which enable its officials to act just as they please. Provincialists will tell you that for the time to come responsible Government will put a stop to mismanagement and corruption. Do not believe them; for I say that, as long as provincialism exists, jobbery and corruption will go hand in hand. Responsible government under provincialism is worse than a farce. Provincialists have got up the cry of, " Oh, you want to bind us hand and foot, and hand us over to a centralising Government." Let me ask what provincialism has been, Has its policy not been a centralising policy in the fullest sense ? and has not the city of Auckland been its centre ? In proof of this I aak you to look to those public buildings of suoh mighty pretensions, and consider that a large amount of the cash that was spent in those buildings belonged to us by right, and which ought to have gone to the improvement of the outdistricts. In this way, and by creating offices for needy friends, the wellbeing of the country has been sacrificed. And now oppression by additional taxation is the only course left to provincialists to enable them to keep their ground. Look to the poll-tax; is that not oppression of the blackest dye? Is this not class legislation of the most glaring kind ? Is it not protecting the rich, and grinding down the working man ? Nay, more ; it is going beyond the sphere of tbeir legislative powers, for' l say that such powers belong exclusively to the Assembly. (Mr. CREIOHTON: "No." Mr. Kerb: "Hear, hear.") And I say that the trustees of the different highway districts ought to convene a meeting of the adults in each of their respective districts, with the view of all the districts unitedly forming themselves into an association, each member subscribing towards defraying the expense of testing through the Supreme Court whether they can enforce this tax. They tell us that this tax is for the purpose of enabling them to make provision for the sick and the destitute, This is all moonshine. It is that they may be able to bolster up their expiring system and create ofßces for a few more needy friends. Give us looal government, aud we will pay for the looking after the sick and destitute in our respective localities. Surely this ia enough. Let us mark the members who voted for this bill, for depend upon it that they are not our friends. This poll-tax is the worst blow that ever was given to provincialism. Now, as to the system which will meet the requirements of the country districts, I think that we oue;ht unitedly to petition the Assembly, praying that their honourable House would pass a bill during the present [session by which we would have this Northern part of New Zealand formed into counties; that each county have a county council elected by the people ; that those councillors retire after holding office for the term of three year, in alphabetical order; that none of those councillors receive any salary ; that those councils have the full control over all local matters ; that they have the management of local police; that those councillors sit as Magistrates on all petty cases ; that they have the management of the waste lands within their respective counties, and that a fair per-centage of the proceeds arising from the sale of these lands be handed over to each county for local improvements ; that portions of these lands be reserved as endowments for hospitals and educational purposes within the said counties ; that these councils have the power to settle the right of roadways, to alter or amend the same within the ■aid counties, subject to compensation from the road rate fund"; that these councils have the power to mortgage the county rates for the term of three years for local improvements ; and that these, councils

be guided in all their official duties by tbe legislation of the Assemb'y. Gentlemen, by thii Byitem we would save a Urge amount of c ish which, under the present system, is thrown away in keeping up a host of official drones, as well as in gross mismanagement. I hope that Mr. Stafford will make this a Ministerial question, and, if needs be, that ho will go to the country on its merits ; if so, I predict that this province will return members pledged to vote for this bill. Let us do our duty, being true to the interests of our adopted land, and we need not fear the issue. I ask, where would there be any chance for the General Government to fleece us under this system, as provincialists and separationists would make us bel, eve ?_for,by having the control of all local matters, we should leave nothing for them to feast themselves on, as provincialists have dune. It is true that they would have a large amount of Customs revenue, but consider that a large amount of that revenue would have to go towards paying off the present liabilities of thii province. If we had local government tomorrow, the General Government would have no more officers in Auckland than what they have at the preient time ; but, after we have gained local government, then let us insist upon a re-a^justment of the representation of the colony. If this is done, I maintain that, under the blessing of Divine Providence, with the present prospects of this province, there is a bright future in store for us ; that the seat of Government will be settled and established in the proper centre of the colony — wherever that may be. Let us not be selfish on this point. Provincialists cry out, in deep despair, "Do not condemn or destroy the present system until you can get something better." Bs on your guard, gentlemen, for this is only intended to lull you to sleep. The Assembly is com posed to a great extent of provincialists, who have been the sole cause of a great amount of extravagance on the part of the General Government. Purge them out of the House, and then we may hope for better days. The speaker concluded by moving the following resolution :— " That the trustees of the different highway districts present do petition the General Assembly, praying that their honourable House would pass abill daring the present session conferring upon this province the right of local self-government." Mr. E. Maclean said he had attended here aa a ratepayer and the chairman of two Highway Boards. It was in that capacity he was present, and not in any public one. It had long been his own opinion that the power of local self-government and the control of our own taxation and revenue to the fullest extent was what the outdi9tricts required. He believed that under proper management the whole of the country districts could be ruled by local boards. He believed the chairmen of the various Highway Boards could manage all the elections in the province for the return of members, and administer the local revenue of the different districts. At the present moment Mr. McDonald appeared to advooata doing away with the province. Mr. Kerr : No. The Provincial GovernmentMr. Maclean said we could not have one without the other. Provincial institutions were at present established by the law of the country. Mr. Kbrr : Get the law repealed. Mr. Cbeighton : Order. Chair. Mr. Maclean said he believed the Conatitution Act gave us everything we required if we would only carry it out. It was not the fault of the law, but of the administration of the law, that abuses crept in. They already possessed the power to maka all the alterations they desired, through their local boards, and it was a power that the Government could not deprive them of. The General Government was continually endeavouring to deprive them of the power to administer the affairs of the province, and he looked upon the Highway Boards Act as the great conservator and backbone of local selfgovernment. He looked upon the Highway Boards Act as the very backbone of the province, and under its provisions all other things in the provinoe were subservient to it. Mr. McDonald : Stop short there, Mr. Maclean. Mr. Maolban went on to read a number of extracts from the Constitution Act, showing the administrative powers of the province. He quite agreed with one thing in the letter of the chairman of the Whaingaroa Board. That gentleman said it appeared that the people of the outdistricts were too careless and apathetic about political matters, and the principal requirement had been that of organisation, which was now supplied by the Highway Boards. He did not agree with the opening paragraph of the letter Teferring to the advantages held out by the offer of £2 for every £1 expended in any distnot. (Mr. McDonald : « «I question that.") He (Mr. Maclean) was paying at the rate of £100 per annum id the shape of rates, and would any man tell him that the General Government or any government would give him £200 for that £100, to expend in his own district? If it would Le would vote for it. He believed Highway Boards should be established throughout the country. Is waß with that view he retained his seat in the Provincial Council, and he would do his utmost to carry out the principle of local selfgovernment in every possible way. He believed it wa3 through Highway Boards that local selfgovernment was to be obtained. It would not be in the power of the General Government to alter the Constitution Act for many years to come, and in the meantime let them exert themselves to the utmost to carry out its provisions. Every possible reduction had been effected in Provincial Government expenditure. Let them not now attempt to abolish provincial institutions, but turn their attention, to cutting down the extravagant expenditure of the General Government, as had been done with regard to the Provincial Government. He defied any man to say where any further reduction could be made in Provincial Government expenditure without injuring the efficiency of the departments. The Government establishments were the cheapest in the whole province. There wa3 no other department in the province managed at so little expense. The Chairman inquired whether Mr, Maclean had intended to second Mr. McDonald's motion. Mr. Maclean replied in the negative. The Chairman : Then I am afraid you have stolen a march. Mr. Maclkan : Perhaps I did speak before it was competent for me to do so. Mr. Walkbr rose to ssoond Mr. McDonald's motion. He said he did not agree with everything contained in Mr. McDonald's speech, neither did he entirely agree with everything in the communication from the Whaingaroa Board. They u anted a more simple system of local self-government than had been advocated. They had at present in the Highway Boards nearly all that was required. At the same time, in many of the districts, and in hia own for instance, they had many great grievances; and it was for the purpose of trying to remedy these that he would join in any combination with the various Highway Boards. He would like to see these Highway Boards more efficiently carried out, and he would suggest that representatives of the various boards should assemble in Auckland to endeavour to bring their influences to bear on the General Government, and make known some of their grievances, In his district the want of power to form a road left some of the settlers without means of access to their farms, and they were compelled to trespass upon the lands of their neighbours. When the Highway Board was formed the whole district wai in a perfecb mess. Seven or eight years ago they waited upon the Superintendent in referenoe to this matter, when everything was promised, but nothing had since been performed. They had also waited upon Mr. Whitaker, and again upon Mr. Williamson, upon the same matter, when they met with exactly the same mccess, with the exception that they were informed that the power to divert roads could not be given them, because the forms of a certain Act had not been complied with. The Superintendent had diverted roads before, and if he had the power then he must still have it. ,•,•■, ' Mr. Ckbighton i No ; it was illegal if he did. Mr. G. B. Godxin (Pukekohe West) said in his district they had the same grievance as that pointed out by the gentleman who had just spoken. A great part of the district was lying useless for want of roads. Be had come here with the intention of endeavouring to get this grievance redressed. Mr. Kerr said it had been asserted that they had no business to be there to make a proposition upon the Constitution Act, but he begged to remind them that in a late session of the House of Commons a Representative Bill had been passed, altering the Constitution of the country. The people in the countrv districts were desirous of effecting a change, and he believed that local self-government was urgently required. The Sick and Destitute Act was hurried through the Council in an unseemly manner. He did not think it was right that such an important measure should have been so hurriedly passed. He obiected to collectors being appointed by any central power to collect the money. The money ought to be collected by guardians within each distuct, and they should have a voice in the mode of its expenditure He understood that the Provincial Government had power to appoint collectors, and the money would no doubt be filtered through tbe Provincial Government before it came to the parties for whose relief it was voted. Mr. CRKiGHTaN said by the Act all the proceeds of the tax, less the cost of collection, would be expended upon the sick and destitute. Mr. Kerb said it wou}d be better if the system of.

local self-government were carried out for the relief of the poor. He had heard it said that the grievances of any district would not be a tended to unless some gentlemen of influence resulel in it, and pressed the Government to r«co»nise i";s claims. That w« the reason why the country settlers desired to abolish provincial institutions. Mr. Maclean said he had voted for the Sick and Destitute Bill in the belief that the fund9 would be expended as Was contemplated by the Act. The Government intended that the Chairmen of Highway Boards should have some supervision over the expenditure of the money, in order to prevent imposition. Every farthing of the money would have to be accounted for. He was surprised at the number of people who cams forward for relief, and he felt that the measure was the best that could have been deuised to meet the exigencies of the oase. It was intended to give each district a fair proportion of th« proceeds of the tax. For iustance, the 1 names goldfield ought to have its own hospital, and its own asylum for the sick and destitute. Mr. Kerr stated that in rebutting a charge which the Relieving Officer had brought against him he had shown that a poor man named Taylor, whose relief money that officer had out down to one-half, had died shortly after beiug admitted to the hospital. His death was hastened by the want of medical comforts previous to admission. He thought it was only right that the ratepayers of the various districts should have some control over the sick and destitute funds through their Highway Boards. Mr. CREIGHTON said, if death.had taken place in the case referred to, it must have been from natural causes. Mr. Kerr had made what appeared to be a charge against the Provincial Surgeon, as he stated that the man died while under treatment in the Provincial Hospital, Mr. Kbrr said he did not intend to bring any charge against the Provincial Surgeon. The man died, or at least his death was hastened, beoauae he did not receive relief soon enough. Mr. Crbighton said he understood that Mr. Kerr had stated that he had recommended the man refered to for relief, that the man had received only one half the relief that was necessary, and that he fell sick and was afterwards admitted into the Provincial Hospital, where he died a month afterwards. What oould he have died from ? Mr. Kerb said tbe Provincial Secretary was endeavouring to twist facts. He (Mr. Kerr) had had experience of the hon. gentleman's proficiency in that line. , Mr. Creiqhton said he did not come here to submit to that, and he would sit d»wn. Mr. McDonald hoped Mr. Greighton would proceed, as he might be able to give them tome very valuable information. He (Mr. McD.) hoped the meeting would refrain from personal allusions. Mr. Cbeighton prooeeded to defend the poll-tax, which he said would be beneficial, inasmuch as it would awaken a proper feeling of political activity among the country settlers. He thought ifc would be a good thing that the Highway Boards should hare some supervision o^er the expenditure of the sick and destitute funds, so as to prevenHmposition. It was impossible under the present Constitution Aot to to give Highway Boards the power of diverting roads, of entering upon private property and taking it for public purposes. In fact, previous to 1867, when the assent of the Sovereign was given to the Compulsory Land-taking Act, it was impossible for the Provincial Government to give power to the Highway Boards to divert roads. Then the Attorney - General took a teohnioal objection to the standing orders, which were framed under the Aot, and which had been amended by the Provincial Council in its last session. As soon as these standing orders had received the assent of the Governor, the Highway Boards would have that power of diverting and making roads which they seemed to be so anxious to obtain. The Legislative Assembly itself could not give power to the Highway Boards to deal with Crown lands without the approval of the Crown lawyers. The project of Mr. McDonald's to mortgage the rates was like the conduct of a certain Provincial Government that had sunk the province in its present difficulties* Mr. McDonald proposed to mortgage the rates for three years, but what did he expect would be done by those who were elected to the Boards after the expiration of the three years ? Perhaps Mr. McDonald had forgotten that the General Government passed the Public Buildings Act, and thereby compelled the province to build the new Supreme Courfc-house and Post-office. The Provincial Government was overridden in the matter, and why should this be used as an argument against provincialism? Mr. McDonald was opposed to direct taxation for the maintenance of the sick and destitute, while he abused the Provincial Government for not imposing a direct tax for educational purposes. He (Mr. C.) believed that a direct tax should be imposed for educational purposes, and as a member of the Opposition he had advocated such a measure. The fact was, the General Government had forced the Provincial Government to the disagreeable necessity of imposing a tax to meet the expenditure which ought to have been defrayed out of the money which the General Government had illegally detained. Did Mr. McDonald know that the General Government officials of the province were paid out of provincial funds to the extent of £31,000 ? More than one-fourth of the total receipts of this province \cas expended iu paying the salaries of officials of the General Government, while the provinoe had no voice whatever in their appointment, or dismissal, or the rate of salary. Mr, Creighton then went on to mention particular instances. There was tha General Government agent, who was now in Wellington, who received over £1,200 a year out of the funds of the province, for doing the work whioh ought to be done by Mr. Fitzherbert a3 Colonial Treasurer. Then there was the Resident Magistrate, who was paid a high stipend for that, a3 also for being District Court Judge, besides receiving two guineas a day for sitting , as Compensation Commissioner. They all knew that these compensation sittings had been very protracted. He aaw by the speech delivered at the opening of the session, that Mr. Stafford promised retrenchment, but what were the facts ? Mr. Stafford sent away a messenger from the Police Court who received £30 a year, and an unfortunate clerk whose salary had been £200, while at tbe same time he compelled the Provincial Government to maintain an extra policeman. Of courae, all fees and fines which that policeman was employed in assisting to col- I lect, went into the coffers of the General GoTernment. Mr. Creighton then went on to speak of the expenditure under the head of Commissioner of Stamps, Registrar, &c, which office, he said, embodied a whole series of clerks. The only reduction Mr. Stafford proposed to make in that was to strike off a juuior clerk. The Government scattered the public money broadcast to maintain a system pf patronage, and to maintain a horde of officials and supporters. The General Government should be confined to the thirteen heads of legislation provided for in the Constitution Act, and then there would be no necessity to impose a poll tax. Let them look at the Bingle fact that the printing of the General Government cost a3 much as £10,000 a year. He hoped the Pukekohe community, which seemed to be one of the most active in politics, would turn their attention to these matters, and would inquire how measures could be adopted to reduce the expenditure of tbe General Government. It was the General Government that compelled the province to borrow the £500,000 loan by insisting upon the erection of the public buildings. It was the illegal and unconstitutional conduct of the General Government in retaining the provincial revenue, in order to bring provincial institutions to a deadlock, that had created the necessity for imposing % poll tax ; and he said, witnout hesitation, that the General Government were responsible for the loan which they had compelled the province to contract. Being the receivers of the public revenue the General Government keep possession of it, aud all the odium fell upon the people who administered Provincial Government, fcmch reduction might easily be made in the expenditure of the General Government as would leave the province ample margin for administering their affairs. The Chairman said he felt thankful to the Provincial Secretary for the valuable information he had given the meeting. The speaker commented upon the circumlocution and reticence of the Provincial Government. He also explained the requirements of the Pukekohe district in respect to a line of road, and the want of success that had attended their exertions in this direction, from a want of •upport by the Provincial Government. He thought, notwithstanding the valuable information that had been afforded by the Provincial Secretary, that Mr. McDonald's motion should be passed. Mr. McDonald said it ought not to be assumed because they had not touched upon the abuses of the General Government that they were not alive to them. They desired to bring their influence to bear upon the Provincial Government first, and afterwards to tackle the General Government. Mr. Creighton had alluded to the erection of these public buildings, but who were the parties who had voted for it in the Provincial Council 1 Mr. Creighton said it was the coercion used by the General Government that prompted the Provincial Government to borrow the £500,000 loan. Mr. McDonald said,if the Provincial Government had not been movers in the borrowing of the money, tfee province would not now bo saddled with the

burden Mr. Creighton had himself pointed out that the Constitution vm faulty. He had in two ios'»nce3 admitted that, while Mr. Maoltan had denied th <t it wa3 faulty. Did the country receive justice from th-j Provincial QoTernment ! He thought the answer would be in the negative. Under the present Highways Aot, the Provincial Government oould interfere with the operation! of the Highway Boards, inasmuch as for instance they had the power of proclaiming and altering the boundaries. Mr. Maclean : The Government we willing to listen to any suggestion in the matter. Mr. Creighton said the Government had no suon power as that alluded to by Mr. McDonald. Mr. McDonald said in his own district a pubho meeting had been convened throuah the press, and it was decided to request the Superintendent to alter the boundaries of the district. His Honor the Superintendent altered the boundaries according to the suggestion, of the Board. Only •week afterwards, however, his Honor re-established the former boundaries, and he distinctly stated m to Mr. McDonald, in the presence of th« Provincial Secretary himself, that two or three gentlemen ot tna district had objected to the new boundary, and so, in the face of the wish of the entire people of the district, the Superintendent altered the boundaries to suit the interests of two gentlemen. If the Provincial Government had been consistent, it would have rendered education compulsory, and imposed a tax, as had been done for the support of the sick and destitute. Tha greater part of the extravagant expenditure of the General Government was brought about by the supporters of Provincialism. A discussion took place on the question whether. the circulars convening the meeting bad been forwarded to the chairmen of Highway Boards, or tq the trustees, and therefore whether ot not the vote on the motion should be confined to the members qf the meeting individually, or whether, on the other hand, any gentleman present who was the chairman of more than one Board should be entitled to more than one vote. . Mr. Maclean urged that the meeting should ba adjourned, in order to enable gentlemen to attend who had unavoidably been precluded from attending through the manner in whioh the meeting had been convened. , . Mr. Crbiohton said, if the motion were passed in its present form, the meeting would stultify itself. It asked for an extension of power, and for rights, which they already possessed. Mr. McDonald said the petition, which would ba adopted if the motion was passed, would explain what was desired. . , „ -mt 1 The motion was then put and carried, Mr. Maclean being the only person who voted against it. Mr. Jambs .Robinson proposed, "That a oommittee of the following gentlemen be appointed to draw up a petition :— Messrs. W. Kerr, W. Hay, B. Harris, Walker, McDonald, Godkin, G. B. Hair, W. E. Taylor, and the mover." Mr. Kerr seeonded the motion, whioh was then put and carried. Mr. Waxeer then moved, "That the petition aereed upon by the committee be sent for signature to the ohairmen of the various Highway Boarda, and then be forwarded to Thomas Ball, Esq.,M.G.A., for presentation to the General Assembly. Mr, Hair seoonded the motion, which was put and carried. Mr. Walker moved, "That a meeting of the ohairmen or representatives of trustees of eaoh district be held in Auckland, and that Mr. Kerr be convener of the meeting." These representatives could meet in Auckland, and decide upon a combined policy, and select the candidate who would best represent their interests when the General Assembly was re-elected. w Mr. Kerr seconded the motion. He thought, however, the same subject would oome on for discussion at the next meeting of the Papakura Association. „, . „. The Chairman believed it would be a wise thing for the chairmen of the various highway districts to meet, and devise measures for bringing their require, ments under the notioe of the Provincial Council in its next session. The motion was then put and carried, ana it was agreed, after some discussion, that a meeting of the committee appointed to prepare a memorial for presentation to tha General Assembly Bhould be held on Wednesday next, at 2 p.m., at the Papakura Hotel. , , , „ A vote of thanks to the Chairman conoluded the proceedings. __________________